updated 01:17 pm EDT, Fri September 13, 2013

Megaupload founder denies resisting arrest

Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom has filed a lawsuit against the New Zealand government, alleging he was subjected to illegal surveillance and misconduct during the subsequent raid on his home. Legal filings referenced by The New Zealand Herald outline the case, which seeks NZ$8.55 million (~$7 million USD) in damages.

"My court case will uncover the truth about the [Government Communications Security Bureau] using X-Keyscore, Prism, and the Five Eyes spy cloud to spy on New Zealanders," Dotcom told Ars Technica in a statement. "The truth will come out."

Dotcom's attorneys argue that the search warrant used to raid his home failed to mention that he was already under surveillance by New Zealand's Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), which serves a role similar to the United States' National Security Agency. Additional surveillance by the government's financial-crime agency is said to have been accomplished via cameras on adjacent properties, while a constable is said to have used a pencam to record video on the property prior to the raid without a warrant.

The documents further detail the raid, in which a special-tactics squad stormed the property using helicopters and vans before knocking down Dotcom's door. He denies resisting arrest and claims he was left with bruises and abrasions due to excessive force used by the agents.

The government has issued its own response, denying the use of excessive force or any unlawful conduct leading up to the raid or during the arrest. The filing admits, however, that the GCSB was asked by the financial-crime agency to intercept communications, and that "clones of some electronic items" were later provided to US authorities.

Dotcom recently stepped down as head of data locker company Mega, part of a strategy designed to prevent US extradition as he starts his own music service, known as Baboom, and enters New Zealand politics.